By Stine Jacobsen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but it won't become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.

Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but is unlikely to become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out force to take control of the Arctic island.

Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in buying Greenland, threatening to levy tariffs on Denmark and not ruling out military force to acquire the island. Greenland is a self-ruling Arctic territory that is part of Denmark,